Hardens Guide to the Best Restaurants in Halifax
Hardens guides have spent 33 years compiling reviews of the best Halifax restaurants. On Hardens.com you'll find details and reviews of 45 restaurants in Halifax and our unique survey based approach to rating and reviewing Halifax restaurants gives you the best insight into the top restaurants in every area and of every type of cuisine.
Featured Halifax Restaurants
1. Prashad
Indian restaurant in Leeds
137 Whitehall Rd - BD11
The Hairy Bikers and Gordon Ramsay number amongst the fans of Bobby and Minal Patel’s West Yorkshire legend (est 1992 in Bradford before the move here in 2012) and “it continues to maintain a high standard” of “delicious vegetarian cuisine”.
2. Tattu
Chinese restaurant in Leeds
29 East Parade, Minerva House - LS1
“Amazing decor, complete with cherry blossom” sets a glossy scene at this outpost of the national chain, where the pan-Asian selection adds Thai dishes and sushi to a menu backbone of Chinese dishes. Feedback was relatively limited this year, but all upbeat.
3. Fleur Restaurant and bar
restaurant in Leeds city centre
Inside the lights - LS1
Award-winning Master Chef Finalist, Great British Menu-famed chef Bobby Geetha and Team provides a stunning contemporary British cuisine inspired by world flavours.Fléur Restaurant was the finalist for best Brunch in Leeds. Reviewed as Top 3 best Bottomless...
4. Aagrah
Indian restaurant in Leeds
St Peter’s Sq - LS9
“They always go the extra mile” according to fans of this city-centre outpost of Yorkshire’s nine-strong chain of well-regarded curry houses – a family-run business established in 1977.
6. Sukhothai
Thai restaurant in Leeds
15 South Parade - LS1
Ban Kaewkraikhot’s small group of Thai restaurants started in Chapel Allerton and is now over 20 years old. She has invested in the lavish styling of this city-centre spin-off. A popular venue locally for celebrating an occasion, it wins upbeat (if limited) feedback for results from its very large (200+ dishes) menu.
7. Tharavadu
Indian restaurant in Leeds
7- 8 Mill Hill - LS1
“Don’t be put off by the outside!” – this “very popular” Keralan (a favourite, it is claimed, of India cricket ace Virat Kohli) wins a hymn of praise for its “authentic” cuisine and is “a must for fish and seafood fans”: “the meen koottan (fish curry) was a standout dish, bursting with flavour and expertly prepared. The mango lassi is also delicious. Highly recommended!”
8. Shibden Mill Inn
British, Modern restaurant in Halifax
Shibden Mill Fold - HX3
“A real must-try with a lovely convivial atmosphere”, this historic former mill combines a “dining room and bar in heavy, dark wood that feels like it hasn’t changed much since the eighteenth century and the days of the BBC’s Gentleman Jack” (which was filmed here) with “food that’s much more modern (though retaining a Yorkshire heartiness)” from “very talented and inventive chef Will Webster”. There’s also a “fabulous wine list, with many offered by the glass”.
9. Gimbals
International restaurant in Sowerby Bridge
76 Wharf St - HX6
2021 Review: “Fantastic food” (“always plenty of interesting seasonal options, including great vegetarian choices”), that’s “great value” too, ensures the continuing popularity of Janet & Simon Baker’s eclectically decorated stalwart.
10. Engine Social Dining
International restaurant in Sowerby Bridge
72 Wharf Street - HX6
“Blimey, these guys can cook” – the tenor of most reports on chef Mark Kemp’s converted pub (est. 2018); “the menu (all in the tapas/small plates mode) ranges far and wide” (“something like gyozas stuffed with sobrasada and basil, served with a makhani sauce”), but despite such adventurous combinations, there “isn’t a single duff note” on the menu – which is also “tremendous value” and “utterly, indulgently delicious”. Top Tip – “it now opens Wednesday to Saturday and getting a table at the last minute is nigh on impossible. Book in advance and enjoy… just don’t take my seat!”
11. Brook’s
British, Modern restaurant in Brighouse
6 Bradford Rd - HD6
“An airy space with unusual dishes and great cooking” – this comfortable independent opposite the civic hall scored highly in this year’s annual diners’ poll. The focus is on small plates, some of them very original: who’s for ‘honey, soy and gochujang roast carrots, toasted sesame, with tahini satay’?
12. Eric's
British, Traditional restaurant in Huddersfield
73-75 Lidget St - HD3
Chef-patron Eric Paxman trained under Marco Pierre White in London and Bill Granger in Australia, and has cooked for luminaries including Arnold Schwarzenegger, who vowed ‘I’ll be back’ – a sentiment shared by numerous guests at the venture he opened in his hometown 14 years ago. “Lunch and early-bird evening specials are an exceptional bargain”.
13. Mumtaz
Indian restaurant in Bradford
386-410 Great Horton Rd - BD7
One of the biggest restaurants in our guide, seating 500 guests – this Bradford institution started out 45 years ago as a tiny Kashmiri shop close to its present “very comfortable” premises. Well-known for its “high-quality food”, fans include retired footballer Steven Gerrard and politico George Galloway, and there’s now a spin-off in Leeds and a national brand of ready meals.
14. Akbar’s
Indian restaurant in Bradford
1276 Leeds Rd - BD3
“Just like going back to the 1970’s… but on a larger scale!” – this city-centre veteran has grown over the years as well as spawning a national chain. The “old school Indian food is very tasty with large portions and the biggest naans anywhere”. The menu features ‘Chef’s Challenges’ for the Big Man (quantity) and for the Brav (heat).
15. Aagrah
Indian restaurant in Shipley
4 Saltaire Rd - BD18
2023 Review: Mohammed Sabir was still working as a bus driver in Shipley when he launched his Kashmiri curry business as a mobile takeaway from his Commer van, the ‘Spice Box’ in 1976. The next year he opened his first bricks-and-mortar restaurant Aagrah, which still wins consistently solid marks for its food and has nine branches across Yorkshire.
16. Salts Diner
International restaurant in Saltaire
Salts Mill, Victoria Road - BD18
2021 Review: “Hockneys in view” as you dine are the most famous attraction of this noisy but atmospheric venue: a large, post-industrial space in the UNESCO-listed Salts Mill complex, open from breakfast on for a coffee or fuller meal (Saltburger, Caesar salad, etc).
17. Three Acres
British, Modern restaurant in Shelley
Roydhouse - HD8
2023 Review: “A popular local staple for many years”, this posh and hugely successful pub has been run by the Truelove family since 1968 and – much extended over the years – is known for its “consistently good food and service, with a great atmosphere”. Supporters reckon it is currently “back on form and, though expensive, a great meal is guaranteed (potted shrimps and shellfish superb!)”. A contrary view is that “the dining room decor is in a time warp, with no hint of frivolity to brighten the dullness”, while the “surprisingly long menu could do with being edited”, and the dishes arrive in “generous portions, but lack finesse”.
18. Salvo’s
Italian restaurant in Leeds
115 & 107 Otley Road - LS6
This “reliable Leeds stalwart” has served up “good Italian cooking” for 46 years under two generations of the Dammone family. Founder Salvatore’s sons John & Gip retired in summer 2023, but the new owners have promised to carry on their traditions, with the same staff in place.
19. The Owl
British, Modern restaurant in Leeds
Lockside. Mustard Approach, Mustard Wharf - LS1
This “wonderful canalside restaurant, flooded with light” was originally at Kirkgate Market, moving to the Mustard Wharf development two years ago, where it is “a great addition to Leeds” – “the food is delicious but the relaxed atmosphere is also a key to its success”. Liz Cottam, a MasterChef semifinalist, and Mark Owens (ex-head chef at the Box Tree) also run Home at Brewery Wharf.
20. Sous le Nez en Ville
British, Modern restaurant in Leeds
Quebec Hs, Quebec St - LS1
This “vibrant and busy” basement venue with an “interesting French menu” is a “longstanding favourite”, whose “very good lunch” makes it an “ideal and consistent business brasserie”. Opened in 1991 and still run by founders restaurateur Robert Chamberlain and exec chef Andrew Carter, its many fans are happy that it has “not changed in 20 years”.
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